Under the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has employed over 20,000 new agents to the law enforcement agency of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known to Americans as ICE.

As of January 2026, Trump has reportedly increased ICE’s manpower by 120%, using $30 billion in tax money to fund the new hires.

Established under the Bush administration in 2003, ICE was created to “promote homeland security and public safety through the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws,” according to the agency’s website.

Over the past year, Trump has increased ICE’s use, making the agency a major topic of discussion among students at LHS.

Students may have questions about what happens if ICE were to show up at LHS on a random day.

“Oregon law provides strong protections for students at school. No outside agency, including immigration authorities, may ac-
cess school grounds or speak with students during the school day,” said Principal Kevin Mills. “Our priority [at LHS] is ensuring every student feels safe and supported.”

While ICE is not allowed to enter schools, schools around Portland have been impacted directly by ICE through the effects of chemical weapons deployed by their agents.

At the start of the 2025-26 school year, The Cottonwood School, located on Southwest First Avenue, was forced to relocate due to biohazards caused by tear gas and other chemicals deployed by ICE. The chemicals were exposed to the school during anti-ICE protests at the ICE building throughout the summer.

According to a KGW article, enrollment at The Cott onwood School has dropped from a possible 220 students to 157 due to parents being wary of sending their children back to school since the school is near the ICE facility.

While ICE’s affairs have not affected LHS to the extent that the other schools listed before, it’s not to say that students aren’t aware of the impact ICE has on Portland and LHS.

“I see a lot of protests on highway overpasses now,” said senior Jairus Barnes.

“Kristi Noem (the United States Secretary of Homeland Security) was at the building near where I have my physical therapy, and they were throwing tear gas, so it’s very charged,” said Barnes.

Principal Mills and LOSD have been working together to ease the minds of concerned students, parents, and faculty, ensuring the LHS community is at ease.

“If a student were detained off campus, the school’s role is focused on student safety, communication, and support,” said Principal Mills.

Mills also made it very clear that, for all students and faculty, the school will do everything possible within its rights to ensure students are treated with respect.

LHS has the back of every student and faculty member to ensure safety and respect going forward into the future.

If you or your family have any questions about ICE-related issues at LHS, please reach out to our numerous resources, including school counselors, administrators, and school social workers.

All information can be acquired at the front office.